Either way, the fact that Michigan State Police troopers
Sean Thomas and Jeffrey Rodgers were driving by when James Williams was in
danger of drowning saved his life.

The troopers rescued Williams, who had fallen in the
Flint River on Monday night.

They were taking a prisoner to the Flint City Lockup around
9:15 p.m. when they heard a radio call about someone who had fallen in the
river while fishing and was struggling to get out of the water. They were crossing
the Saginaw Street bridge over the river.

"I looked to the right, and there he was struggling,"
said Rodgers, who then ran down from the bridge to the river. "I grabbed onto his arms. He
was a bigger guy, so I couldn't pull him up."

Rodgers held on until Thomas joined him, and then they pulled
the man to safety. Williams was out of breath and very thankful, they said.

"It always feels good," said Thomas when asked how it
felt that he saved someone's life. "It feels like you accomplished something."